Fife food & drink businesses look forward to revival of face-to-face exhibitions & events

InvestFife, home to Fife Council Economic Development’s range of business support services, is gearing up ready for a busy 2022 of exhibitions and events, as it assists businesses to market their goods and services, and to raise their company profiles, following a prolonged period of virtual events.

A bespoke ‘Tastes of Fife’ area has been secured by InvestFife, at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show 2022, and key businesses from Fife’s food and drink supply sector are keen to participate. ESC Packaging is exhibiting independently and will be positioned at one end of the ‘Tastes of Fife’ exhibition area, which will host Pittenweem Preserves, BPlasticFree, Rumburra and Little Herb Farm. That leaves just nine spaces for local businesses to be part of the ‘Tastes of Fife’ showcase.

The Little Herb Farm is returning to the event, having exhibited there for five years pre-lockdown. It was at the event in 2015, that The Little Herb Farm met The Cress Company – now its biggest distributor, which reinforces the supply chain opportunities and successes that can be achieved at trade events like these. Owner of The Little Herb Farm, Lindsey Anderson said:

“Nothing beats face-to-face meetings when it comes to selling food produce. Buyers need to see and taste the products on offer to ensure they are getting quality items for their customers. Getting back to trade shows and other in-person events is critical for all involved in the food industry. Scotland’s Speciality Food Show brings together buyers and producers from across the UK and the opportunities are vast. It is the best way to get your brand out there and I have always come away with more new customers than I expect year on year. I am looking forward to January!”

Scotland’s Speciality Food Show 2022 takes place at Glasgow SEC in January 2022 and builds on from this year’s 12-month long online show, which closes in December 2021. Currently, Fife has five local businesses participating in the virtual event - Christopher Trotter, Inchgarvie Group, Pittenweem Preserves, BPlasticFree and Rumburra.

Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council’s Convener - Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee, commented:

“Food and drink is key to economic growth in Fife. With the importance of destination experiences growing, Fife Council has a role to play to support supply chain opportunities. Fife’s food and drink action plan aims to realise this potential and provide a significant boost to the Fife economy, by ensuring that business support is available from Fife Council and its partners to ensure that Fife food and drink companies, of all sizes, are fully supported.”

Councillor Craik added:

“The revival of some of Scotland and the UK’s biggest exhibitions and events, is crucial for businesses, as not only does it show that confidence is returning to the marketplace, but it also gives our local businesses the opportunity to market their goods and services face-to-face in a safe manner. If the pandemic has highlighted anything, it is the importance of face-to-face interaction, communication and in the case of food and drink, it’s the all-important taste test! Physical events bring businesses and consumers together on a much more personal level, which in turn brings about better results for businesses.”

For more information on InvestFife’s Trade Development Programme and how it can support businesses to attend events including Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, email: [email protected].